Boeing has announced significant orders for its large aircraft, revealing that it has secured commitments for up to 80 of its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle planes from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This move comes after Airbus had made inroads with these airlines following issues related to Boeing’s 737 Max earlier this year, indicating that Boeing is actively working to regain its competitive footing.
Brad McMullen, who heads Boeing’s sales operations, expressed appreciation for the partnership with Japan Airlines, noting their decision to select the 787 Dreamliner as part of their fleet modernization efforts.
The announcement was made on the first day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a significant event in the aviation industry. Japan Airlines has placed an order for 10 Dreamliners with an option for 10 additional units, while Korean Air has ordered twenty 777-9 models and twenty 787-10 planes, also with an option to purchase 10 more 787-10s.
This development highlights a competitive landscape, as a report from March mentioned that Japan Airlines had ordered 11 Airbus A321neo jets, marking a departure from its exclusive reliance on Boeing for single-aisle planes. Similarly, reports indicated that Airbus had sold several wide-body jets to Korean Air during the same period, which could be seen as a setback for Boeing, particularly for its 777X model currently nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed gratitude to Korean Air for choosing Boeing’s latest widebody aircraft, emphasizing Boeing’s long-standing relationship with the airline and its commitment to supporting their sustainability and growth objectives through the 777X and 787 Dreamliner.